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pumpkinhollow) wrote2000-02-08 08:52 pm
TDM #4 - Aurora Borealis Bust? [REPRINT]
[Find our plain text version here!]
Pumpkin Hollow Gazette
2/8/24 | TDM #4 - AURORA BOREALIS BLITZ BUST?
Content Warnings: "Further Details" section has independent CW labels.
Forecast: SEVERE BLIZZARD WARNING
REBUILDING HELP REQUESTED
By Cecil Gershwin Palmer
A photo taken of the damage.
ACROSS PUMPKIN HOLLOW - City government is requesting aid with repairs to public buildings and local fixtures after the recent earthquakes on Tuesday, January 8th. While there was minimal damage to Town Hall itself, several important buildings sustained damage, including the Magpie National Bank, the South Train Station and the Clock Tower, which is now stuck with hands at 8pm.
Regarding the cause of the earthquake, local biologist Dr. Elias Coldwood was heard to say “There's never been seismic activity here.” And he’s a scientist, so he would know! But clearly this is no longer the case. Perhaps Pumpkin Hollow has a mysterious tiny civilization underground worshiping a destroyer god, planning to attack through the bowling alley, the moment we create a bowling alley. Perhaps not. More on this story as it unfolds, faithful readers.
In the meantime, volunteers to help with the damage to city buildings are invited to meet with Mayor Hellen Poe for assignments.
AURORA TURNS VIOLENT - MYSTERIOUS BLIZZARD INTERRUPTS CHAOS
By Yorick Aberdeen
An artist's rendition of last year's view.
ABOVE MARROW ISLE - Despite our earlier report, it turns out that this year's annual aurora borealis season did not turn out to be a pleasant or romantic viewing experience. Instead, starry monsters based off of classic constellations have been attacking the town each time the aurora is in the sky! However, due to some extreme blizzards that have been occurring most nights each month since late January, the aurora has been interrupted more nights than not and the monsters intercepted. Still, the Pumpkin Hollow Safety Board would like to remind everyone to take appropriate precautions during inclement weather, and to tread carefully on clear nights as monsters may still be attacking until late February!
HOROSCOPES
By Cecil Gershwin Palmer
What do the stars say about you today?
Capricorn: Do you feel as if you’ve lost something? If not, it’s wise to double-check. Perhaps it’s not something like a button or a key, but your sense of wonder or your self-confidence. Remember, things tend to be in the last place you look.
Aquarius: Something about the year ending made you feel lighter, like taking off a heavy wool coat. Ride this burst of energy as far as it will take you, because the shiny of a fresh beginning tends to wear off quickly.
Pisces: Don’t worry, I don’t believe what everyone says behind your back. You’re not too sensitive or too naive. They’re just jealous. Really, most of the time when they’re whispering, it’s not even about you.
Aries: You’re the sort of warm individual that babies and animals are drawn to. Unfortunately, this may include hungry wolves and swarms of insects. But don’t let that bring you down! We need that sort of personality around here.
Taurus: There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be the best, until you work to stop others from also being the best. That’s called cheating and may lead to you being disqualified from competitions. If you get caught, that is.
Gemini: You know those riddles about the two guards, one who always tells the truth and one who always lies? Well, everyone hates those riddles with a passion. You’ll see for yourself, soon.
Cancer: Wouldn’t you like to know?
Leo: Your incandescent personality often makes you the center of attention. However, that’s not the only thing about you that glows. Moths may flock to you in the dark this week, and so might children afraid to sleep with the lights out.
Virgo: Be careful with your words–they aren’t just the precursors to your deeds, but the manifestation of your will. This is not a week for idioms and metaphors, not for you. Even something like bemoaning a lack of spoons may make eating cereal harder.
Libra: You are, inevitably, the first one heard to say a situation isn’t fair. And it’s not, nor will it ever be. Instead of getting upset, have you ever considered getting revenge? That’s usually more satisfying in the long run.
Scorpio: Ugh, Scorpios. The position of Venus means your usually volatile emotions will be in the doldrums instead. Enjoy this while it lasts I guess. Who knows if you’ll ever experience such peace again, given, well. You’re kind of an emotional mess and no one likes you.
Sagittarius: There will never be another day like today. You must strive to make the day everything you want it to be. No mistakes, now! Consider your choices very carefully. Consider your choice to consider, very carefully.
SUNFIRE'S HEARTH
By Yorick Aberdeen
A photo of Mayor Poe's cats, Toffee and Butter, enjoying the view.
ASSORTED LOCATIONS - As the coldest part of the year settles over our fair isle, it is time for Sunfire’s Hearth--- an informal celebration of bonfires and hearth flames, for those unfamiliar! For the months of January and February, a raised platform for bonfires will be lit on weekends, and restaurants and taverns across town will keep their fireplaces lit. Unlike many of our other festivities, there is no structured celebration--- simply make some time during this time to bask in the warmth of a fire! You can even celebrate at home.
An additional benefit of this time of year is that Merrymeet is well on its way. So take this time and get snuggly in front of a fire with your special person to get in the mood for romance! (Or they could be platonic snuggles. Whatever suits you best.)
LOCAL ALCHEMIST REPORTS MISSING POTION
By Yorick Aberdeen
Some of Mx. Sallek's usual stock. Could stand to have better labels./p>
LOCATION UNCERTAIN - Early Monday morning, local alchemist Aeryn Sallek reported that a large container of magical potion has been swapped with another, and it would seem that the mistaken jug has been sent out for delivery. According to Mx. Sallek, they sent a number of jugs out for delivery in a case with our local delivery extraordinaire, Sam Porter Bridges. The jugs were meant to contain a harmless, potable freeze-resistance potion for our town’s various water sources, in the interest of keeping water reserves drinkable in sub-freezing winter weather. However, when they returned to the shop, one of these potions remained on their counter while a love potion they’d been working on went missing.
“‘Love potion’ is kind of a misnomer, honestly,” Mx. Sallek is quoted to have said on the matter. “But ‘emotional acuity’ potion doesn’t quite roll off the tongue. Basically what it actually does is enhance existing romantic desire and embolden the user to be emotionally open. But Yorick should already know all this, since he’s the one who ordered it.” [Editing note: don’t forget to cut the last part of that comment before publishing. Cecil, you don’t need to include personal statements directed at reporters from these interviews!]
It’s unclear which area of town this particular potion ended up being injected into the water source, but according to Mx. Sallek, the potion was not particularly intense to begin with. It should be significantly diluted as to be harmless. Still, if you notice any strange symptoms such as butterflies in your stomach, a desire to burst into song, or inexplicable yearning, please file a report with the Safety Board at your earliest convenience.
FOOD SHORTAGES PUT STRAIN ON ISLAND ECONOMY
By Yorick Aberdeen
MARKET DISTRICT - While there are many things to celebrate this time of year, Marrow Isle is not without its adversity. Over these past months, many new members of our community have arrived by ferry after our numbers remained small and stagnant for many years. And the presence of our newfound neighbors has been a boon to all of us. Many artisans have opened useful businesses, medical professionals have expanded our access to healthcare, and a new fishing vessel has taken to the seas. However, despite a few additions, our farming community remains quite modest and planting was not planned with such incredible new growth in mind.
The unfortunate result of this is that food reserves on the island this year are uncharacteristically low. As such, Town Council has made the difficult decision to allow for the temporary inflation of food prices and the rationing of food staples.
“We understand the hardship this will place on the residents of Pumpkin Hollow,” said Mayor Poe in a statement after this decision was made. “But please know that we are all in this together. We hope to be able to offer a better incentive package for those interested in farming in the coming springtime.”
Page 1
Aurora
The dead of winter sheds all colors of the trees and flowers across Marrow Isle, but tonight, there are no stark whites and grays and browns.
Tonight, in the sky sprawling with stars above the dreary town, there are lights.
Sprawling trails of violet and green twist and wave through the sky, brightening the earth below and the sea beyond Jack's Marina in magical colors. The return of the borealis is something many Pumpkin Hollowites look forward to, and their reactions are very clear: people scurry down to the shores to watch with wide eyes, many retrieve telescopes, and some even borrow the decks of ships, abandoned for the night at the docks, to watch the sights.
It doesn't take long for this to change, however; the sea nor land are safe from the curse, and it's made quickly apparent that the sky is no exception.
At first, the sight seems like none more than an illusion, perhaps someone blinking and missing a strange shift of the lights. A glimmering outline forms around a cluster of stars, only slightly harder than any of the lines that define the aurora's rays. Several of these shapes form, each array of stars different from the last, some larger, some smaller.
And then, the stars begin to fall.
Seeming to peel off the painted sky, the ebbing colors surrounding the starlight drop, crashing to the world below. Some fall to the streets and beaches, while others fall into the forest, leaving view, or drop into the sea, leaving splashes and waves in their wake that ensure any watching knows full and well that this is not a trick of the light. At first, these shapes are unmoving, glowing masses of aurora-light with stars shining brightly within them. Most townsfolk are uneasy, but this seems to pale in severity to the other disasters, even if they lack any idea of what it could mean for them.
That is, of course, until the masses begin to move.
Each one is as varied as the constellation it stole from the sky: stars form suggestions of skeletal structures, and their "flesh", only consisting of swimming lights and liquid sky that steals any lights around them. Two identical glowing shapes rise to a face finally taking form, and slowly, moving more like gel than animal as it rises to freshly-formed legs, it settles on the closest living thing it can find.
There is no calculation in it, nor what seems to be a glimmer of thought.
It simply lunges with intent to kill.
Cecil’s disconcerting horoscopes have the following effects for the next few days:Horoscopes
[CW: Altered emotional states ]
(Don’t know your character’s sign? Feel free to just decide on one!)
The effects are not particularly intense. However, anyone who drinks any of the tavern’s housemade ale or cider, drinks the coffee, or eats any food that might require water to cook will experience symptoms of “emotional acuity”. This involves feeling more emotionally open, more receptive to positive feelings about others, a strong desire for physical or verbal affection, and the intensification of romantic or sexual attraction that you might already be experiencing. It will last about half a day. Just in time to help potentially land you a date for Merrymeet, a flower and fertility festival in early spring!Love Potion
[CW: Altered Emotional States ]
Unbeknownst to the townsfolk, the “love” potion ended up in the water supply of the Oak & Iron. As promised by Aeryn, it is thoroughly diluted, as its recipients believed it to be a normal freeze-resistance potion to be mixed with their water.
Food rationing and inflation will have the following impact: Grocery budgets for apped-in characters will be reduced in their efficacy. Bonuses and Discounts associated with the Farmer and Fisherman jobs are also reduced. Oak & Iron Residents will only be able to receive bland, repetitive meals with their food vouchers consisting of simple broth, plain bread, bland potato dishes, and the like. It is enough to be fed and comfortable but it is incredibly unsatisfying. (This includes all new characters that are not apped-in.) Drinks, however, are still plentiful. Characters who do not eat will find that their respective sources of fuel will be reduced to just barely enough to keep them functional, provided that they ration carefully. (Ex. Transformers may want to be less active. Vampires will find that victims cannot handle excessive blood loss without fainting and generally prefer to stay home.) Characters who were present to fight the Mother Crab back in late summer and chose to can some of their crab can use it now! Hunting, foraging, and fishing can help reduce the impact of these reductions, and people can share their food. You can absolutely die of starvation. After Merrymeet in February, food will return to normal.Famine
[CW: Starvation and food scarcity ]
Basic groceries will be only the most minimal of staples. You will likely go hungry if you do not find a way to supplement this.
Bountiful groceries will be reduced to the amount of food normally contained in basic.
Lavish groceries will not be available at all.
Your grocery choices from Activity Check are not able to be modified for this month unless otherwise stated.
Level 1 bonuses will be reduced to standard, which is to say how they would function for a non-Farmer/Fisherman character during a normal, pre-famine month. (ex. Whereas normally a Level 1 Farmer would get free Basic groceries, they will now have to pay the 50 Brass, but do not have the efficacy of Basic groceries reduced as described above.)
Level 2 bonuses will be reduced to that of a Level 1 Farmer/Fisherman. (ex. Whereas a Level 2 Fisherman would normally be able to have Bountiful groceries discounted to 50 Brass, they now must pay full price for Bountiful groceries. However, they can still get Basic groceries for free and don’t suffer from the famine induced efficacy reduction for either budget.)
Claude von Riegan | Fire Emblem Three Houses | not me reusing a prompt shhh
[Naturally, it doesn't take long for Claude to find himself at the library. What better way to get his bearings and learn about this new place he's found himself in than to bury himself in books? He hasn't been able to go on a research binge like this since his academy days, there's something painfully nostalgic about it...
He's completely taken over one of the tables, a variety of texts spread out and piled up along with at least three notebooks he's actively writing in. Books on Pumpkin Hollow's history and culture, yes, but also a guidebook on the local flora and fauna, technological advancements, and anything else that grabbed his interest. He's clearly been here for a while, and will be here for a while yet.
He also might be glowing, which is pretty handy for reading in the dark.]
Chill in the air
[Thank the Gods for the big bonfires, because this cold? So not it. With only the rudimentary clothes he's been given from his arrival, Claude tries to spend as much of his time indoors or huddled up as close to the blaze as he can safely be.
Hunger can lead a man to do a lot of things, however, and if he's going to be cold either way he may as well try not to be hungry and cold. He's nowhere near as good a hunter as, say, Leonie, but he's more than good enough with a bow and stealthy enough to make up for it. The occasional rabbit is more than do-able for him, and a good supplement to potato gruel. His usual flashy trick shots are couched for pure, practical skill.
Whether you find him out in the forests or huddled up next to one of the bonfires, he'll be looking to trade any game he hasn't eaten himself-- particularly for some warmer clothes.]
[Claude can def be love potion dosed for any/all prompts. feel free to bring ur own prompt as well!]
Chill in the air
Those are some really nice rabbits you've got there...
i'm never gonna get over your choice for pb it's so good
Yeah, I got lucky this time. [Especially with not having a place of his own yet to store extra food, he really doesn't need more than one for himself. This guy doesn't need to know that, though. He subtly eyes the stranger, looking for anything the man might be willing to offer. One skill he doesn't have is any that would turn the rabbits into anything more useful than a meal-- but with how hungry people are getting, it hardly matters.]
I might be willing to part with one, if you've got something to offer.
you're too kind!
[Cecil is established here, he can definitely spare more than stew. But every negotiation has to start somewhere.]
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Well, like all new arrivals I was given a small pension to start out with, but with the weather being what it is, I find myself in need of warmer gear-- and I'd prefer to save that money where I can. The bow I borrowed from Town Hall is-- [He grimaces and makes a so-so gesture with his hand.] Well, I'd rather save up for one where I don't have to worry about the string snapping on me every time. Once I'm no longer concerned about losing extremities when I go out, I'd be happy to contribute anything extra I bring back to your stew.
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[Of course, there is one other downside to borrowing Cecil’s coat that he hasn’t mentioned: Cecil’s fashion sense. It’s amazingly warm, quilted even. But there’s no accounting for taste.]
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I need a letter of introduction to meet the town seamstress? How formal! [Claude grins.] I don't suppose you have a good pair of gloves I could borrow as well? I won't be doing much hunting if my fingers have fallen off in the cold. [Come on Cecil, hook up a fellow desert-born... guy. Surely any warm gloves he's gotten can't be that outrageous, right?]
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Study Up
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The mere presence of other people in a public library is not in itself alarming, of course, but that hypervigilance eventually cottons on to the suspicious lack of other sounds he's used to hearing. The rustle of paper, the slide of a book being placed or removed from a shelf. Breathing.
Cautious, his posture remains relaxed, and he uses a stretch as an opportunity to subtly look around for the culprit. With them not immediately visible, he hums softly to himself and gets to his feet, knowing he won't be able to focus again until he's at least seen whoever's hovering silently nearby. Besides, he could probably do with a little walk around. How long has he been hunched over these books? Hard to keep track of the passage of time in here.]
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The person is neither breathing, nor blinking.]
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I took a good couple books from here, actually. What are you looking for? I might have it.
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[Angel's voice is quiet, low and rumbly, like distant thunder. His expression is very still, stony. (A stark contrast to the animation of Cecil Palmer.)]
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Okay, yeah, I think I grabbed something about that. Hold on here a moment.
[He ducks back to his table, scanning the spines of the pile of books he hasn't gotten to yet until he finds what he's looking for. He carefully slips it free from the pile, carrying it over to pass to the stranger.]
How's this? Don't worry about it, there's plenty of other things that I'm interested in reading, I can push that one down the list for a bit.
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Study Up
"Dunno if you heard, but staying out after dark isn't wise. Especially alone. Might want to pack it in before it gets too late, take a few of those home."
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"Those star monsters, right? I'm still over at the Oak & Iron, so I don't have far to go, luckily." It is so terribly easy to lose track of time here, though.
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Study Up
Ryja all but dances into the room, though quiet on her feet in the way that Viera are so good at being. It's the first day she's actually finally visiting the library, and the Scholar in here is all but bursting with excitement. Even more so to find someone else clearly as interested in study as shes is.
She drops herself down across from him and just starts talking without any hesitation. Her natural tone is soft enough that she doesn't have to whisper. "Where would you suggest I start, seeing as you are already engrossed in the same activity I was planning?"
Her mask covers her smile, but it comes through in her voice.
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"Ryja Featherfists, Scholar and Astrologian." She introduces herself, forgetting for the moment that those words don't mean the same things outside of Eorzea. "Flora and fauna, fantastic. You can learn much of a place by the land and life which surrounds it." And isn't that just the most Viera response? She wants to know everything, of course. What Scholar worth her salt wouldn't?
"Magic, of course, will be important too. This world has its own rules, different than my own, even if it still works here... And the goddesses, and the demons, both have such an effect, I need to know more." She glances over his collection, in case Claude has any of those already at hand.
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He nods along to her further suggestions. "I know just enough about magic to know that it works differently here than back home." Either home. "It's interesting that the goddesses and demons seem to have such direct influences here– aside from some... recent extenuating circumstances, that's not the case where I'm from." The long-hidden truth about the Church of Serios, not to mention Byleth's whole situation, is a bit of an anomaly even in his world. And there are arguments to be made about whether Sothis and her children even are deities or just a different kind of being.
He waves a hand to his stack of books. "Please, if you see anything you want to read, go ahead. There's plenty to occupy me until you're finished with it."
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"Study them, listen to them, read them. Fate and destiny can be found in all the world, but the stars tend to see everything." And she adores them, always has, and discovering her talent as an Astrologian simply reinforced it.
"In my world, to see the divine manifested is, at best, a tragedy." Primals, terrible and powerful, and ever-hungry for aether. "It is nice to know that is not the case in all worlds."
She goes ahead and starts with the flora and fauna, since she won't have access to her magic until she has her tome.
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Claude had also focused on the most practical information first-- food and safety. What he can eat, what might try to eat him... always good to know where you are in the food chain, whether it's the literal one or a more metaphorical social chain.
He's fine allowing the conversation to lull into the comfortable silence of two people working separately, near one another. Another quiet presence, the faint scratch of pen against paper-- it reminds him of sneaking into library at Garreg Mach late at night, before everything went wrong. He pushes the bittersweet memory away-- there's too much to do here, so much to learn. A new community, a new world that he has to adjust to if he's going to figure out how to keep moving towards his dream. He absently twirls the pen between his fingers as he reads a text explaining the domains of the goddesses and the demons, mind moving too fast for his fingers to stay still even when they have nothing to write.